Consultant for Evaluation Visualization and Evaluation Use Promotion, LACRO-Panama City - 11.5 months HOME-BASED
Contract
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UNICEF works in some of the world’s toughest places, to reach the world’s most disadvantaged children. To save their lives. To defend their rights. To help them fulfill their potential.
Across 190 countries and territories, we work for every child, everywhere, every day, to build a better world for everyone.
And we never give up.
For every child, hope
With increased investments, evaluation use to inform decision making is a key issue for the UNICEF.
UNICEF and partners senior management, and staff, all receive a large wealth of reports formats, mainly final reports and executive summaries yet often they do not have sufficient time to go through them. Data visualization helps reports become user friendly and when done well understand key messages.
More specifically, data visualization is the process of representing data graphically in order to identify trends and patterns that would otherwise be unclear or difficult to discern. Data visualization serves two purposes: to bring clarity during analysis and to communicate. The choice of what type of graph or visualization to use depends greatly on the nature of the variables we have, such as relational, comparative, time-based, etc.
As per ROMP output “LACR produces high quality evaluation evidence on inequities across the region and contributes to identify what are the key programmatic and transformational shifts required. Evaluation evidence is used by LAC CO and RO for systematic learning, accountability, guiding the effective design and implementation of regional strategies, country programs and supporting decision-making by partners for improving results for children”.
To achieve this output, LACRO is committed to strengthening the visualization and fostering the use of several evaluation products submitted to RO and CO across the region (such products include the following: inception reports, the draft evaluation reports, final evaluation reports, evaluation synthesis and evaluation management responses).
Given the increase of the number of evaluations, and to increase the use of findings/conclusions and recommendations And considering there is no capacity in house, there is a need for recruiting additional technical expertise that could contribute to strengthening the visualization, dissemination and use of the evaluations produced in the region.
How can you make a difference?
The purpose of the assignment consists in assisting the UNICEF Latin America, Central America and Caribbean Region Regional Office (LACRO) and Country Offices (CO) in the performing activities related to the Evaluation Visualization and Evaluation Use Promotion both at the CO and Regional Office (RO) levels.
Specific Tasks:
Working under the supervision of the LACRO regional evaluation advisor, the Consultant will support the RO and CO staff responsible for evaluation in ensuring that their evaluations findings, conclusions and recommendations are useful and adequately communicated to the evaluation key users and the wider public.
To achieve the objectives of this assignment, the Evaluation Data Visualization Consultant will support the evaluation processes to ensure the production of independent, credible evidence that meets high professional standards in line with UN norms and standards and codes of conduct for evaluation in the UN system, embodied in UNICEF’s evaluation standards
Expected Results:
In extrapolating the information to disseminate and in crafting the key messages to disseminate amongst a larger audience, the consultant will contribute to the:
- Development of UNICEF staff and implementing partner staff capacity in evaluation data visualization using open source software and resources in the LAC region (e.g. webinars, online demonstrations, multimedia, infographics, website inputs, social media, informal meetings and PowerPoint presentations, newsletter inputs, final report and executive summary visualization products);
- Visualization of the results of twenty evaluation reports submitted to the UNICEF RO for final validation before publication (e.g. final reports, evaluation synthesis, etc.).
- Development of appropriate policy and communication briefs.
- Inputs for a specific LACRO evaluation tab on the LACRO Teamsite (this would promote that evaluation materials, such as reports and checklists, be available to UNICEF staff at all times).
Deliverables:
- An action plan that would present in detail the process to be followed every time a report submitted to the system will be ready for visualization.
- Workshop (2 hours) with M&E officers for dissemination and common understanding of the consultancy process
- Expected 20 evaluation visualization products: One-pager or two-pager visualization tools (e.g. e.g. webinars, online demonstrations, multimedia, infographics, website inputs, social media, informal meetings and PowerPoint presentations, newsletter inputs, final report and executive summary visualization products), summarizing the finding, conclusions and recommendations of the evaluation reports and evaluation synthesis (the length of the visualization tool will be determined in agreement with the Regional Evaluation Adviser and the CO/RO section responsible for the management of the evaluation to be visualized);
- Interactive visual tools on LACRO evaluation to be posted within UNICEF (and outside of UNICEF as needed).
- A refined and up to date LACRO Evaluation Tab (both internal and open to the public);
- End-of-consultancy final report along with a summary of feedback and technical supports provided during the assignment (within 14 days since the last deliverable reviewed in agreement with the LACRO Evaluation section), including:
- Final visualization synthesis report validated and approved
- Final workshop for sharing the process and results
- Written comments on how to enhance the GEROS compliance of the reports to be visualized
- One capacity development mission with training plans: Panama (LACRO)
Given the regional scope of this consultancy assignment, the list of evaluation topics to be covered and the detailed schedule will be discussed with both the LACRO and CO.
Deliverables, Team Leader working days and payments
Task/Deliverable
Team leader working days
Timeline
Payments upon validation and approval of deliverables
Inception report validated and approved:
-agreement on the content and structure of the visualization of each evaluation report.
-Process to be followed every time a report submitted to the system will be ready for visualization.
-Inception workshop (2 hours) with M&E officers for dissemination and common understanding of the process
5
December-January 2022
Inception report validated and approved
Agreed the content and structure of the visualization of each evaluation report.
Inception Workshop conducted
10 % Payment
First draft and final visualization product of each one of the twenty (20) visualization products / reports
50
February-June 2022
First draft and final visualization product of each one of the twenty (20) visualization products / reports
-7 out of 20 products delivered 27 % Payment
-14 out of 20 products delivered 27 % Payment
-20 out 20 products delivered 26 % Payment
End-of-consultancy final report, including:
- Final visualization synthesis report validated and approved
- Final workshop for sharing the process and results
5
June-August 2022
Final visualization synthesis report validated and approved
Final workshop conducted
10% Payment
Total
60 days
100% Payment
The total duration of the contract is 60 days over the period from December 2021 to November 2022. The consultant is expected to work remotely.
Tentative timeline
Deliverable
Indicative Timeline
1. Inception report including methodology and approach for
the assignment
January 2021
2. Data visualization products (one for each one of the twenty evaluations)
February-November 2022
3. Meetings / Workshops to validate each one of the visualization process and products
February-November 2022
4. Validation workshops at the RO and CO level
May-October 2022
5. Draft regional visualization report (regional synthesis),
including strategic recommendations
November2022
6. Final visualization / synthesis report
November2022
7. Webinar and/or workshop on key learning and recommendations for all CO and LACRO
November 2022
Total
All deliverables are to be submitted by November 2022.
To qualify as an advocate for every child you will have…
Education:
- Advanced university degree in evaluation, social sciences, or other related fields. (Master)
Work Experience:
- At least ten years or more of relevant professional work experience:
- Extensive similar experience, preferably with a UN agency
- Demonstrated experience in Evaluation data visualization
- Prior Visualization work of qualitative data;
- Prior visualization work of quantitative data;
- Prior evaluation visualization work done for UNICEF in the past would be considered an advantage;
- Knowledge or familiarity of latest methods and approaches in evaluation/evaluation data visualization, especially participatory methods and accountability to affected populations.
- Experience in qualitative and quantitative data collection, analysis and synthesis.
- Experience working with UN agencies or other relevant development partners.
- Experience managing a team
- Experience with the ethics of evidence generation; experience collecting data from vulnerable groups; familiarity with ethical safeguards
- Desired experience
- Experience in the visualization of UNICEF evaluation products will be considered an advantage;
- Past publications on evaluation data visualization published in peer-reviewed journals.
- Experience with the use of GEROS guidelines will be considered an advantage
- Management of evaluation team(s) and/or supervise monitoring/assessment staff and processes.
- Prior work in a multi-cultural environment.
Languages:
- Fluency in English and Spanish is a pre-requisite; knowledge of French or Portuguese is an asset.
Technical Knowledge:
- Demonstrated advanced skills in quantitative and qualitative evaluation visualization (e.g. being responsible for the management of an evaluation visualization website);
- Ability to engage diverse internal and external stakeholders on data visualization;
- Ability to provide capacity development in data visualization;
- Ability to work in and manage teams, conflicts and solve problems;
- Ability to meet deadlines within minimum supervision;
- Good communication skills (writing and oral)
- Highly qualified professional technical knowledge/expertise in evaluation, including data management/visualization and qualitative analytical information:
- Knowledge of qualitative and quantitative methods
- Knowledge of latest methods and approaches in evaluation and/or evaluation visualization, especially participatory methods and accountability to affected populations
- Familiarity with UNICEF’s work, including the Core Commitments to Children preferred.
- Health, epidemiology, public health emergencies, health system strengthening, or social research.
Other skills:
Flexibility and adaptability to shifting conditions and work demands.
• Capacity to communicate effectively and work collaboratively;
• High level of Integrity and commitment to UNICEF’s mission and professional values.
• Analytical and conceptual ability, negotiating, communication and advocacy skills.
For every Child, you demonstrate…
UNICEF's values of Care, Respect, Integrity, Trust, and Accountability (CRITA) and core competencies in Communication, Working with People and Drive for Results.
UNICEF competencies: building and maintains partnerships, demonstrates self-awareness and ethical awareness, drive to achieve results for impact, innovates and embraces change, manages ambiguity and complexity, thinks and acts strategically, works collaboratively with others.
Click here to learn more about UNICEF’s values and competencies.
Administrative details:
Supervision:
The Consultant will work under the direct supervision of the Regional Evaluation Adviser and in close collaboration with the Multi Country Evaluation Specialist.
Workplace:
Home-based. Travel will be covered by UNICEF as per policy.
• Travel costs will be estimated and added to the contract once they are determined based on UNICEF Financial Rules and Regulations.
• For agreed country visits, the contractor/consultant will be responsible in administering their own travel. UNICEF will reimburse travel related expenses based on actual costs or on the below criteria whichever is lower and upon presentation of receipts.
• Any travel involved should be budgeted according to UN Travel Standards as a ceiling.
• UN Secretariat Administrative Instruction on Official Travel, ST/AI/2013/3: Sect. 4, para. 4.2, numerals (d) and (e)
• For information on Daily Subsistence Allowance (DSA), can be found on the International Civil Service Commission website (all countries and destinations can be found by navigating on the map).
How to Apply?
Application should be submitted online and should include: Resume, Cover Letter, University Diploma and Financial proposal. Qualified candidates are requested to submit monthly fees in their financial proposal.
An electronic link presenting the consultant’s portfolio of evaluation data visualization is required.
Payment of professional fees will be based on submission of agreed deliverables. UNICEF reserves the right to withhold payment in case the deliverables submitted are not up to the required standard or in case of delays in submitting the deliverables on the part of the consultant.
Duration of contract:
Estimated start date of this consultancy is the last week of December 2021 for a period of 11.5 months.
Vacancy Announcement Remarks:
Please note only short-listed candidates will be contacted. UNICEF reserves the right to make additional assessment of the pre-selected candidates, if needed UNICEF is committed to diversity and inclusion within its workforce, and encourages all candidates, irrespective of gender, nationality, religious and ethnic backgrounds, including persons living with disabilities, to apply to become a part of the organization.
UNICEF has a zero-tolerance policy on conduct that is incompatible with the aims and objectives of the United Nations and UNICEF, including sexual exploitation and abuse, sexual harassment, abuse of authority and discrimination. UNICEF also adheres to strict child safeguarding principles. All selected candidates will, therefore, undergo rigorous reference and background checks, and will be expected to adhere to these standards and principles. All selected candidates will be expected to adhere to these standards and principles and will therefore undergo rigorous reference and background checks. Background checks will include the verification of academic credential(s) and employment history. Selected candidates may be required to provide additional information to conduct a background check.
Individuals engaged under a consultancy or individual contract will not be considered “staff members” under the Staff Regulations and Rules of the United Nations and UNICEF’s policies and procedures, and will not be entitled to benefits provided therein (such as leave entitlements and medical insurance coverage). Their conditions of service will be governed by their contract and the General Conditions of Contracts for the Services of Consultants and Individual Contractors. Consultants and individual contractors are responsible for determining their tax liabilities and for the payment of any taxes and/or duties, in accordance with local or other applicable laws.